New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
Armorama: 1,303 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 09:43 AM UTC
Hello All:
I am starting my next project which will be an NTC setting. I have several figures I nees to add MILES gear to for the diorama, not to mention the vehicle that will be in it too.
Anyway, please see the attached photo. It appears to me the radio operator does not have a MILES vest. Am I correct? Is that because he already has so much stuff on the vest would be too difficult to use?
Another question: what is the guy kneeling behind the radio operator (with goggles) carrying on this back? Lots of wires there, and a small pack.
Last question: what's the guy up front carrying that has a small antenna? It does not appear to be the same large radio the radio operator in the foreground has.
Bob
Indiana, United States
Joined: January 28, 2004
KitMaker: 2,716 posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 10:15 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Anyway, please see the attached photo. It appears to me the radio operator does not have a MILES vest. Am I correct? Is that because he already has so much stuff on the vest would be too difficult to use?
He's cheating
. Really I dunno, because he is wearing his helmet gear
Quoted Text
Another question: what is the guy kneeling behind the radio operator (with goggles) carrying on this back? Lots of wires there, and a small pack.
Don't know what the wires are, but the pack is a Camelbak. The second guy from the front of the group has one too and you can easily see the Camelbak logo on the back. I'll try and see what the brand name of the camelbak is.
No idea what the antenna specifically is for the point man.
Hope that helps.
Jeff
Sua Sponte - Ranger Challenge 2006
A person does not grow old and wise but for surviving the dumb "stuff" when they were young.
Life is tough. It's tougher still if you're stupid.
Indiana, United States
Joined: January 28, 2004
KitMaker: 2,716 posts
Armorama: 1,864 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 10:25 AM UTC
Ok found it. I believe it is a Camelbak Ambush.
Hopefully this image will last a while. I copied the image link from an ebay sale.
I don't know too much about MILES as I haven't used it (yet), but the wires look like they are part of the MILES vest and not specifically from the Camelbak, because I know the Ambush doesn't have wires like that.
Jeff
Sua Sponte - Ranger Challenge 2006
A person does not grow old and wise but for surviving the dumb "stuff" when they were young.
Life is tough. It's tougher still if you're stupid.
New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 10:30 AM UTC
Thanks Jeff. Interesting; I thought the camelbak was solid green/olive drab.
Bob
Indiana, United States
Joined: January 28, 2004
KitMaker: 2,716 posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 10:41 AM UTC
Nope. Camelbak's come in various colors based on the type. Newest Vipers and Omegas now come in ACU pattern. I have one in black and have seen various kinds in DCU, BDU, Coyote, Olive drab. Check out
Camelback.com for the various types with different types and available colors.
BTW, the most common ones that I've seen are Thermobaks in BDU, ACU, and Black, and now Omegas. This is honestly the first photo I've seen of a unit with Ambushes.
Jeff
Sua Sponte - Ranger Challenge 2006
A person does not grow old and wise but for surviving the dumb "stuff" when they were young.
Life is tough. It's tougher still if you're stupid.
New York, United States
Joined: January 29, 2004
KitMaker: 3,836 posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 11:48 AM UTC
When we wore the MILES system, every solider had one on including the radio operator. If anything happened to him someone would take it over. The small boxes were part of the system which sound if hit.
Now not sure if they worked the same ways 15 years ago, but it seems that the weapons are wired to them. The Solider closer also seems to have the zip cuffs...As for the poles, antenna maybe or something they may use for entry or vehicle inspection.
It feels like bible camp…Only I’m not crying pretending I’m somewhere else.
Happy Modeling
Joe
North Carolina, United States
Joined: May 30, 2005
KitMaker: 113 posts
Armorama: 73 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 03:52 PM UTC
Hi, all.
Here are a few of my observations:
1) I think the radio man in the foreground is wearing a MILES harness. Just like the rest of them, the harness went on first under the camelbacks and in his case the radio. Also I can't be sure, but is he wearing a Kevlar vest also? I'm not familiar with that piece of equipment. The harness is underneath that as well. I think the only guy wearing a harness you can see from the rear is third from the front, and he doesn't appear to have anything else on his back.
2) I don't recall that any part of the MILES gear was hard wired to anything. It seems to me they told us the boxes contained transmitters as well as batteries.
I can't help with the other questions. But I have one of my own: Why are they raiding the administrative area chow line?
John Antkowiak
Manassas, VA
Indiana, United States
Joined: January 28, 2004
KitMaker: 2,716 posts
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Posted: Monday, January 15, 2007 - 02:13 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Also I can't be sure, but is he wearing a Kevlar vest also? I'm not familiar with that piece of equipment.
Yep, all of them are weaking IBAs underneath. Thats standard in nearly all combat training like NTC and JRTC at Ft. Polk.
Quoted Text
I can't help with the other questions. But I have one of my own: Why are they raiding the administrative area chow line?
They are hungry
http://hotzone.yahoo.com/b/hotzone/blogs20409Hey Robert, watch this video. Besides being really interesting, at the very end I think it shows the radio of the man in front.
If that it isn't it, then I'm not entirely sure it is actually an antenna. I like the idea of some entry device or some innocuous item.
Jeff
Sua Sponte - Ranger Challenge 2006
A person does not grow old and wise but for surviving the dumb "stuff" when they were young.
Life is tough. It's tougher still if you're stupid.
New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
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Posted: Monday, January 15, 2007 - 02:36 AM UTC
Quoted Text
: Why are they raiding the administrative area chow line?
John Antkowiak
Manassas, VA
LOL
These guys were attacking into Junction City at the NTC. You can see "dead" OPFOR guys way in the background sitting down. OPFOR guys don't want to surrender, so I have been told, since then they have to go through the BS of being interrogated and missing out on meals and such. So, they tend to fight to the death and then get to go back to their lines afterwards and get something to eat.
Thanks for the link Jeff. I was thinking too that might be a walkie talkie, but it seemed an odd place to be towards the soldier's back, instead of the front of his IBA.
Bob
Ontario, Canada
Joined: April 01, 2006
KitMaker: 470 posts
Armorama: 367 posts
Posted: Monday, January 15, 2007 - 04:22 AM UTC
The wire could be a walkie talkie as you guys suggested, but maybe he has a throat mic or a headset, and is free to carry the walkie on his back?
Virginia, United States
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 6,149 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 02:00 AM UTC
They are all fully instrumented with MILES. You cannot enter the manuver box as a player unless you have MILES. There is an Observer/Controller (OC) in the near vicinity. He is with you 24/7. If you cheat out there, you will get caught (very bad do-do can happen to you) and you do yourself a disservice. Those guys are practicing for the real thing.
DJ
DJ Judge
COL (R), USA
"Tanker Boots do not a Tanker Make."
Indiana, United States
Joined: January 28, 2004
KitMaker: 2,716 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 03:26 AM UTC
Quoted Text
[
Thanks for the link Jeff. I was thinking too that might be a walkie talkie, but it seemed an odd place to be towards the soldier's back, instead of the front of his IBA.
Bob
Not only that, but why would a little walkie-talkie have an antenna as big as a SINCGARS?
And the more I look at it, I think those "wires" are just flex cuffs stuffed in the MOLLE strips.
Jeff
Sua Sponte - Ranger Challenge 2006
A person does not grow old and wise but for surviving the dumb "stuff" when they were young.
Life is tough. It's tougher still if you're stupid.
New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
Armorama: 1,303 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 03:30 AM UTC
Quoted Text
They are all fully instrumented with MILES. You cannot enter the manuver box as a player unless you have MILES. There is an Observer/Controller (OC) in the near vicinity. He is with you 24/7. If you cheat out there, you will get caught (very bad do-do can happen to you) and you do yourself a disservice. Those guys are practicing for the real thing.
DJ
Yes, I know. There were OCs right behind me as I took the photos. I am not suggesting the radio operator might be cheating. I was asking if he gets a break since he has on all that gear and the vest might not be doable with all the gear. But note, I did run into several soldiers who were very cynical (who would have thought! :-)) and thought they were wasting their time since what they were doing was not realistic in their minds.
But, now I think I see a MILES receiver ever so slightly peaking out from under the radio pack about midway up his back, on the left side of the pack. But I would think the vest would go on after the radio, so the radio would not cover it up, like what appears to be the case here.
Bob
New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 03:31 AM UTC
Quoted Text
[And the more I look at it, I think those "wires" are just flex cuffs stuffed in the MOLLE strips.
Jeff
I agree.
Virginia, United States
Joined: May 07, 2003
KitMaker: 1,174 posts
Armorama: 772 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 09:25 AM UTC
hello ery1,
well after being on AD for the last 2 yrs, and seeing this action infinite times. Being an OCT, and having to know the do's, dont's, the TM's,AR's,and more. This is what I observe, they are wearing camelbacks, there is 1 RTO, 1 PLT LDR,the blue colored cord seems to be either nylon cord or restraint devices. 1 SAW, several M4's,they all must wear IBA, the photo seems to have been shot by an army PR photographer. this action was probably during validation maneuvers.
"HAAA YOU THINK THIS CAR IS BAD,,MY OTHER ONE ONLY HAS TWO WHEELS'
In War...., Everybody Loses something!!
WHEN DOES A HOBBY Become A SICKNESS
New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,437 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 09:46 AM UTC
Quoted Text
the photo seems to have been shot by an army PR photographer. this action was probably during validation maneuvers.
Thanks for your input Todd. I appreciate everybody's thoughts on this. Actually, I took this photo at the NTC. I only wish it did not have porta potties as the backdrop - it would have been one of the better photos I took!
These guys were attacking OPFOR infiltrators that took over Junction City (that was the beginning of the scenerio - so no, the bad guys did not take over the town from the US forces).
Bob
Virginia, United States
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 6,149 posts
Armorama: 4,573 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 01:54 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
They are all fully instrumented with MILES. You cannot enter the manuver box as a player unless you have MILES. There is an Observer/Controller (OC) in the near vicinity. He is with you 24/7. If you cheat out there, you will get caught (very bad do-do can happen to you) and you do yourself a disservice. Those guys are practicing for the real thing.
DJ
Yes, I know. There were OCs right behind me as I took the photos. I am not suggesting the radio operator might be cheating. I was asking if he gets a break since he has on all that gear and the vest might not be doable with all the gear. Bob
Bob-- no one gets a break at the NTC except the OPFOR.
DJ
DJ Judge
COL (R), USA
"Tanker Boots do not a Tanker Make."
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
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Posted: Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 03:06 AM UTC
The antenna looks like it could belong to a Saber.
A strong man stands up for himself; A stronger man stands up for others.
Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations.
He is not Khan who calls himself Khan. Afghan proverb
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 03:06 AM UTC
The antenna looks like it could belong to a Saber.
A strong man stands up for himself; A stronger man stands up for others.
Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations.
He is not Khan who calls himself Khan. Afghan proverb
Removed by original poster on 01/19/07 - 05:15:50 (GMT).
New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
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Posted: Friday, January 19, 2007 - 02:26 AM UTC
Indiana, United States
Joined: January 28, 2004
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Posted: Friday, January 19, 2007 - 02:39 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The antenna looks like it could belong to a Saber.
It'd make sense. But the antenna looks different. Could easily be something similar though.
Jeff
Sua Sponte - Ranger Challenge 2006
A person does not grow old and wise but for surviving the dumb "stuff" when they were young.
Life is tough. It's tougher still if you're stupid.
Maryland, United States
Joined: November 23, 2006
KitMaker: 48 posts
Armorama: 47 posts
Posted: Friday, January 19, 2007 - 04:02 AM UTC
AAAHHHHHH!! Man I am having flash backs of NTC!! I was there again this summer working with the 2nd ID. What a nightmare. With the new SINCGAR you can use diffrent anntenna's and of course you carry 2 or more radios. ICOM, SINCGAR and if an OC catches you with out MILES on you are out for 48hours. they are pretty strict about that out there. And it looks like they are in Madina Jabal (spelling) but they changed the names so maybe that is what they used to call it. But you got so much crap on half the time you can't hitthe MILES and you have to call out the kill and the OC will kill him for ya if you are in the right. Have fun!!
SFC. Grunt
U.S. Army, INF
Lead From the Front or Get Out of the Way !! NCO's lead the way.......
New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
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Posted: Friday, January 19, 2007 - 06:30 AM UTC
Quoted Text
And it looks like they are in Madina Jabal (spelling) but they changed the names so maybe that is what they used to call it.
Hi ArmyGrunt:
Thanks for the story!
As you said this was at Medina Jabal/Medina Wasl/Junction City. The town has a mosque. There is a soccer field outside the town and FOB Detroit is within sight.
I love some of the names they give to places. Porta-Potti Wadi, Bug Pit, Lincoln Tunnel, Cereal Bowl ...
Bob
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
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Posted: Friday, January 19, 2007 - 10:08 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
The antenna looks like it could belong to a Saber.
It'd make sense. But the antenna looks different. Could easily be something similar though.
Jeff
We had two different antennae for the Sabers, I think. We also had PSC-5's and EMBITR's. And you're right-they're all relatively the same size and shape. You could just take a chunk of Evergreen and stick it in a tissue/glue pouch, add two knobs, and antenna base, and a mike lead. No one will know the difference-I sure wouldn't. I'd rather do IV training than sit through another commo class.
A strong man stands up for himself; A stronger man stands up for others.
Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations.
He is not Khan who calls himself Khan. Afghan proverb
